A Fitness Revolution, Straight From Tsarist Russia
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

A Russian workout that dates back to tsarist times and was later used under communist rule by the Spetsnaz, or Russian Special Forces, is attracting the attention of New Yorkers.
Gyms such as Equinox, the Trinity Boxing Gym, and the exclusive La Palestra Center for Preventative Medicine have turned to Russian kettlebells.
The workouts, aimed at improving balance and athleticism, combine strength and cardio training with a focus on core muscles and improved flexibility. The cast iron bells, which are round with u-shaped handles, are flung around like toothpicks by using momentum and body stabilization; movements that force multiple muscles to work together.
Exercises with bizarre names like the Turkish get-up and the farmer’s walk make their impact on muscles from the shoulders to the calves. “Kettlebells are so superior in their flexibility and exercise capability, there is no limit,” the owner of Symmetry Fitness, Chris Hall, said. “I started working with kettlebells three years ago and now 75% of the training I do with my clients involves them.”
Even Hollywood has picked up on kettlebells. In the soon to be released “Rocky VI,” an elderly Rocky Balboa will train his way back to the top with the help of the Russian weights.
Famed for their incredible strength, agility, and stamina, the Spetsnaz attributed much of their fitness to the bulbous cast iron weights. The bells were also a critical tool in the training of Soviet Olympians.
For many, the allure of kettlebells is the final product. The workouts are renowned for burning fat while building lean muscle. “I can’t have big shoulders for my career,” an IMG model who had just finished a kettlebell workout at the Trinity Boxing Gym in downtown Manhattan, Nadejda Savcova, said. “Kettlebells don’t build bulky muscles, but at the same time they destroy you.”
“I now know why Russian’s were so successful in the Olympics during the last century” a kettlebell instructor who is the owner of the Trinity Boxing Gym, Martin Snow, said.
Kettlebells originally ranged in sizes based on “poods,” an old Russian measurement which equals 16kg or 36 pounds. Bells weighed in at one, one and a half, and two “poods.” But with burgeoning popularity, kettlebells are now available in sizes from nine to 106 pounds.
Although famous American strongmen such as Arthur Saxon favored kettlebells at the beginning of the 20th century, a world-famous trainer, Pavel Tsatsouline, has led the renaissance state-side. Mr. Tsatsouline, who trains U.S. Special Forces and federal agents, said he didn’t think kettlebells could gain such popularity in mainstream America. “I was very skeptical because its such a hard workout, but it has really taken off around the country,” Mr. Tsatsouline said, ” I think its because the workout is very free and you really feel like an athlete.”
Trainers from around the country are flocking to St. Paul, Minn., to attend the official kettlebell training certificate course that is conducted by Mr. Tsatsouline and his affiliate company, Dragondoor.com. “It was like three days of hell,” Mr. Snow said.
Due to the exploding client base, the certification courses are booked solid until June 2007.